On Halloween Weekend in 2018 Vampire Swim will be RETURNING to a beach or pool near you as swimmers organize an international call for blood. Entry fee for these swims varies from venue to venue but all swimmers are expected to donate blood within 6 weeks prior to the swim. Those who cannot make a donation of blood for medical reasons can make a cash donation to the Red Cross or some other similar organization. Or they can recruit a surrogate to donate blood on their behalf. A small registration fee will cover the cost of custom bloodytoothed caps and other incidental expenses with the remainder also being donated to the Red Cross or other equivalent organization,

The event arose from discussions between Jaimie Monahan of New York City, Greg O’Connor of Boston and Phil White, of Derby, Vermont. As the conversation broadened, more and more open water swimmers have come forward willing to host and help this informal swim and blood drive. A Vampire Swim Facebook page has helped to spread the word around the globe.

The list of venues continues to grow. From Boston, New York, Dublin, Myrtleville, Inverness, and Glasgow to San Diego, Ottawa and Kingston Ontario, Westport, Connecticut, Polson, Montana, Detroit, Michigan, Newport, Vermont and Annapolis, Maryland, with additional venues in New Mexico, San Francisco, and Pennsylvaia expected to be rolling in 2018. See our Venues page for the full list with contact information.

Minimum open water distance is 25 meters and more in some venues. Costumes are encouraged. Wetsuits and flippers are allowed. Open water is generally in the 40s and 50s this time of year in the northern part of the US and in Canada and Scotland. Open water Vampire Swims are a great way to kick off the cold water, winter swimming season in those locations where open water swimming continues year round. By bringing Vampire Swims into the pools, we will be broadening the reach of this blood drive.

The goal is simple: Have Some Fun, Do Some Good, Enjoy a nice swim with like-minded Vampire Swimmers.

For more information or to host a venue, please contact Phil White at phw1948@gmail.com. Wanna be a Vampire Swimmer? Contact your local venue. Wanna host a venue? Let us know.

​Contact information for each venue is posted on our Venues page. And, don't forget to "like us" on Facebook.